PMO Strategies

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working (Technical Project Management) Hey, IMPACT Driver! Recently, I was part of a fabulous debate at the University of Maryland Project Management Symposium. The UMD team has a special place in my heart because they’ve been the host of the Project Management Day of Service since our second year so many years ago now!  UMD is a staunch supporter of the power of Project Management and what better way to showcase the variety of ways that project people can show value than a friendly debate between two industry leaders?  It was so much fun!  I had the pleasure of debating with my friend and fellow thought leader Crystal Richards.   We tackled the age-old question facing so many project people: Is it better to have a process-first or principles-first approach to projects?  In this episode, you’ll learn why I believe that if you really want a seat at the leadership table to drive meaningful business value for your organization, there’s one approach that gets you there a lot faster than the other.   I won’t give it all away here, but I can’t wait to see what you think after you listen to this episode, so let me know! You can find posts about it on LinkedIn.  Enjoy!  P.S. - Attention PMO leaders! Say goodbye to being labeled as "administrative overhead." It's time to make a real IMPACT and drive measurable business value. Join our FREE one-hour PMO Advantage training and become the strategic asset your leaders need. Claim your seat at the table for good, and let's elevate your PMO journey together!  P.P.S. - If you would like to listen to the full back-and-forth debate, you can do so right here on my friend Kendall’s podcast. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen (Strategic and Business Management) Hey, IMPACT Driver! Did you know that we STILL have some pretty wicked failure rates with PMOs? The typical PMO fails within 2-3 years, and I know EXACTLY why. Because there’s SOOOO much advice out there about PMOs now and frankly, a lot of it is sending you in the wrong direction.  That’s why I started PMO Strategies over a decade ago. I am fighting against the typical advice so you can get much better results.  Imagine a PMO that defies expectations, stands out from the crowd, and delivers high-IMPACT results. That's the kind of PMO I want to help you build, whether you’re just starting to build your team or looking to elevate your existing PMO. Listen to this episode now to learn how to take your PMO from ordinary to extraordinary and earn your seat at the leadership table in the process. Enjoy! P.S. - Attention PMO leaders! Say goodbye to being labeled as "administrative overhead." It's time to make a real IMPACT and drive measurable business value. Join our FREE one-hour PMO Advantage training and become the strategic asset your leaders need. Claim your seat at the table for good, and let's elevate your PMO journey together!  Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working (Technical Project Management) Hey, IMPACT Driver!  Are you unsure where to start with building a new PMO?  Wishing you had a shortcut for all the things you need to do to set yourself up for success?  On our survey, one of your peers asked for help with these same questions, so I created this episode with an easy-to-follow list of free resources to get you started.  If you are looking for a shortcut, a clear roadmap with all the answers, and the step-by-step that will give you the confidence that you are doing it right the first time, you should definitely join us inside the IMPACT Engine System™ now to fast-track your PMO journey!  Not ready to take the leap just yet? This episode will get you started on the resources you need so you don’t waste any time trying to Google your way to a PMO. Trust me, I’ve seen way too many failed attempts and can’t let you do that!  Listen to this episode now and get ready to take notes because I have a whole plan on where to go to get started with your new PMO, transformation, or strategy delivery office.  And if you haven’t filled out our survey yet, please do! I’m here to help you on your IMPACT journey, and you may even hear some answers to your questions in one of our future episodes.  Enjoy!  P.S. - Attention PMO leaders! Don’t settle for being considered just “administrative overhead.” Learn how to make a real IMPACT and drive measurable business value with our free training. Become the strategic asset your leaders need and earn your seat at the table for good. Register now for this FREE one-hour PMO Advantage training and start driving success today!    Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills (Leadership) Hey, IMPACT Driver!  Are you ready to dive into a hot topic that often sparks debates in the PMO community? I know I am!  Today, I answer the age-old question: Should a PMO leader be required to have project management experience?  It's a controversial topic, with some arguing that experience is crucial for success, while others believe too much experience can hinder a leader's effectiveness.  So, what's the answer? Can a PMO leader without much project management experience still be successful in their role?   Join me in this episode now to explore the pros and cons and hear some tips on what YOU can do to be successful as a PMO leader, regardless of your level of project management experience.  Enjoy!  P.S. - Have you registered to join us for the very first International PMO Day this Tuesday, May 9th, 2023? We want to celebrate with you, IMPACT Driver! I’m going to host a FREE 2-hour workshop 11 AM EDT | 3 PM GMT! Change your life and the trajectory of your PMO to earn your seat at the table, PLUS get a chance to sit in the hot seat with me for some FREE coaching on your toughest pain points. Register now to join us for this chance to get unstuck and move forward in elevating your PMO success.  P.P.S. - Reading this after the live workshop? I have a special gift for you too! Visit the International PMO Day page for all the details.    Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen (Strategic and Business Management) Hey, IMPACT Driver!  Is the term “PMO” being left in the dust?  It's a big question, but let's be real — the name PMO can carry some serious baggage.  Some business leaders love it, while others have had bad experiences and want nothing to do with it.  That's where the conversation starts - with how prior experiences shape perceptions of PMOs and why executives like to be involved in the process.  But that's just the beginning!  Whether you call it a PMO, strategy delivery office, transformation office, or something else entirely, I’m giving you the tools to ensure you and your team are set up for success in this rapidly changing business environment.  Join me in this episode now to unpack what's happening in the industry, how the PMO is evolving, the mindsets of business leaders, and what it means for YOUR organization.  Enjoy!  P.S. - Have you registered to join us for the very first International PMO Day on May 9th, 2023? We want to celebrate with you, %FIRSTNAME|TITLECASE%! I’m going to host a FREE 2-hour workshop! Change your life and the trajectory of your PMO to earn your seat at the table, PLUS get a chance to sit in the hot seat with me for some FREE coaching on your toughest pain points. Register now to join us for this chance to get unstuck and move forward in elevating your PMO success. Hot seat opportunities are limited, so claim your spot today!        Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills (Leadership) Hey, IMPACT Driver!    I am bursting with excitement to share some incredible news with you!    I've been working on something very special and I can’t wait to get it into your hands.     It's going to be a total game-changer for PMO and strategy delivery leaders just like you, IMPACT Driver.    I’m writing a book to help PMO and strategy delivery leaders create powerful IMPACT Engines for their organizations to drive higher business value much faster. This book covers everything from stories and techniques to a step-by-step system framework I use in the IMPACT Engine System™ implementation program. Now, if you know anything about the publishing process, you know it will be a while before it’s in your hands, so I’m finding ways to bring you with me on this journey until it’s published.    Tune in to this episode to get a sneak peek into the upcoming book!    I can't wait for you to listen in and share your thoughts here.     Help me spread the word by sharing your excitement on all your favorite social media platforms and stay tuned for more exciting news and updates to come!    Enjoy!    P.S. - Have you registered to join us for the very first International PMO Day on May 9th, 2023? We want to celebrate with you, IMPACT Driver! I’m going to host a FREE 2-hour workshop! Change your life and the trajectory of your PMO to earn your seat at the table, PLUS get a chance to sit in the hot seat with me for some FREE coaching on your toughest pain points. Register now to join us for this chance to get unstuck and move forward in elevating your PMO success. Hot seat opportunities are limited, so claim your spot today!    Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working (Technical Project Management)  Hey, IMPACT Driver!    Are you building a new PMO or strategy delivery team, but feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of pain points your stakeholders have shared with you?     How do you figure out where to start when there seem to be so many things you need to fix to make progress?!    Don’t worry. I’ve got you, IMPACT Driver.     You aren’t the only one with this challenge.     On our survey, one of your peers shared this same challenge and asked for help.     So, today we’re diving into exactly how to figure out where to focus first to get your biggest results the fastest. You may be surprised by what you hear!     And if you haven’t filled out our survey yet, please do so here!    When you tell us what’s going on with you and share your pain points, we’re going to send you resources, suggestions, and specific podcast episodes that will help you address your toughest challenges.     Enjoy!    P.S. - The very first International PMO Day is on May 9th, 2023 and we want to celebrate with you! I’m going to host a FREE 2-hour workshop! Change your life and the trajectory of your PMO to earn your seat at the table, PLUS get a chance to sit in the hot seat with me for some FREE coaching on your toughest pain points. Register now to join us for this chance to get unstuck and move forward in elevating your PMO success. Hot seat opportunities are limited, so claim your spot today!    Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills (Leadership) Hey, IMPACT Driver!   I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about the importance of earning your seat at the table. For you to be able to bring your organization through change effectively, they must know you, like you, and trust you, so that you can have the real conversations about what it will take to deliver on their strategy with the help of your team.      That trust part is where this seat at the table comes into play.     Your business leaders need you there to help them drive the right decisions and it’s hard to do when they don’t even know you’re there.     Today, I’m sharing 6 tips to get and keep your seat at the table – and when it’s time to just take it!    You'll learn:  Ways to help the executives see your value  How to earn your business leaders' respect  Strategies for joining the right conversations    Listen to this episode now to learn how to show your business leaders just how well you can help them drive the big strategy plays for your organization.     Enjoy!    P.S. - Attention PMO Leaders! It’s critical that you know how to measure and communicate your PMO value and there are FAR more meaningful metrics than projects being on time and budget. Instead, you need to learn to speak the value language of your business leaders so they WANT you at the table with them helping them set their strategy up for success. Register for my free training to show you how to measure and communicate the real value of your PMO: https://pmostrategies.com/value   Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills (Leadership) Recently, I asked my IMPACT Engine System™ and IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind™ program participants to share their journey through what I teach. I asked them to tell me about where they were when they started, their biggest challenges, how the work they have done in the program has changed them, their big "ah ha" moments, and what they would tell their former selves now that they are where they are with what they now know.    Their responses were so powerful that I couldn't help but cry. I saw how much they have grown and was so darn proud.     So, today I am sharing some of the insights that they said they wish they could tell their former selves before starting the journey of building or elevating their PMO or strategy delivery team. I hope you find this helpful in supporting you where you are today and feeling a little less alone in this process.    I'm incredibly proud of them and honored to support them. Building a PMO or strategy delivery team is not easy, but it's worthwhile. Just remember that you don’t have to do it alone.     Enjoy!    P.S. – The work you do in your organization is not just about templates, tools, and process – it's also about YOU as a leader. Join my IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind students in our hands-on support system to help you step-by-step through your journey to build a PMO, strategy, or transformation organization the right way. It’s time to earn (and keep) your seat at the table: https://pmostrategies.com/coaching     Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen (Strategic and Business Management) Hey, IMPACT Driver!    This week, Stuart Easton, Founder and CEO of TransparentChoice, joins the podcast to discuss why portfolio management is critical to delivering on your organization's strategy effectively.    It’s not enough to get good at ensuring that projects are executed well. There’s a bigger opportunity for PMO leaders – especially if they want to earn the respect of business leaders. You see, projects must be set up for success BEFORE they start and the PMO is the best positioned to make this happen.      Join us for this episode to learn exactly how to play a bigger game while ensuring much higher success rates for your projects and earn your seat at the table in the process.    P.S. – Stuart and I have been friends for a while now and are strongly aligned in our goals to help every PMO and strategy delivery leader have everything they need to thrive. Here’s what we came up with when we put our heads together. Yes, that’s right – it comes with freebies and other goodies: https://pmostrategies.com/transparentchoice    Stuart Easton is a long-time friend and supporter of PMO Strategies and the IMPACT Summit. Founder and CEO of TransparentChoice, he is on a mission to help PMO leaders deliver successful projects. Stuart is a guest lecturer on Project Prioritization at the University of Oxford, and he also speaks at various PMO conferences and events on how PMOs can deliver strategic value, identify waste, and eliminate those pesky pet projects.   Enjoy!    Connect with Stuart: Download The Ultimate Guide to Project Prioritization: https://www.transparentchoice.com/project-prioritization  Learn More About TransparentChoice: https://transparentchoice.com/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eastonstuart/    Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast! I welcome your feedback and insights!  I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online! Warmly, Laura Barnard     GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS